Gezicht op Koblenz en een brug over de Moezel c. 1881 - 1891

This is an anonymous photograph of Koblenz and a bridge over the Moselle, pasted into an album. The image shows a scene of burgeoning industrialization in Germany, likely during the late 19th century, along with a Romantic poem. Here we see visual and textual languages of modernity and tradition coexisting in the same frame. The new bridge signifies both technological advancement and increased trade but it is presented alongside a nostalgic reflection on nature. What was the public role of photography during this period? Photography’s ability to represent the world objectively granted it a truth value that painting lacked. Yet, the choice of subject matter and the way it is framed reveals the photographer's subjective interpretation. Further research into the history of Koblenz and the cultural context of late 19th-century Germany would enrich our understanding of this complex image and its representation of a society undergoing rapid change.